Bay Alarm: 2024 Expert Review

LAST UPDATED: May 12th, 2022

Since 1946, family-owned and operated Bay Alarm has provided professionally installed residential and business security solutions to California Bay Area residents. A local business, the company prides itself on possessing a familiarity with California neighborhoods, unlike large security competitors. Bay Alarm is affiliated with a number of California law enforcement agencies, alarm organizations and fire departments. Due to its mom-and-pop nature, the company doesn't provide standardized pricing or equipment without conducting a face-to-face consultation, making it difficult to fully review its services.

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The Good

Local California Business
90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Technicians Don't Work on Commission

Bay Alarm offers the charm of a locally owned business with the expertise of a well-established alarm company (currently protecting 110,000 customers throughout California). The company has 14 branches throughout California, which means nearly all of its customers live within a one-hour drive to a Bay Alarm office. In addition, the company has great relationships with local fire and police departments and a first-hand knowledge of California neighborhoods. Bay Alarm even operates its own CSAA Five Diamond Certified monitoring center. If customers find Bay Alarm's workmanship, equipment, performance or customer service unsatisfactory, they are entitled to a full refund within the first 90 days. Another bonus: technicians don't work on commission, which eliminates the pushy money-motivated technician problem associated with many security providers.

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The Bad

Available to Bay Area Residents Only
No Information on Pricing or Equipment Without a Face-to-Face Consultation
Installation Fee
One-Year Warranty
Poor Cancellation Terms
No Moving Options

Note: Bay Alarm serves California Bay Area residents only. Bay Alarm provides very little equipment information on its website and absolutely no specifics on equipment costs and monitoring fees. Even upon speaking with the customer care department, prospective customers are advised to schedule a face-to-face consultation with a technician as the company does not have standardized fees. We were also advised of an installation fee associated with all systems; however, that cost varies as well, and is not divulged until receiving a formal quote from one of Bay Alarm's technicians. The one-year equipment warranty is among the worst in the industry, as most providers cover equipment for at least three years, with some offering lifetime warranties. And don't even consider moving during the initial 36-month term; Bay Alarm doesn't provide moving services due to the cost associated with relocating alarm systems.

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The Bottom Line

Due to insufficient information regarding Bay Alarm's installation fees, monthly monitoring charges and equipment costs, it is difficult to form a full review on the company. In addition, its unappealing cancellation terms and short warranty do not help the company's case. For these reasons, we cannot strongly recommend Bay Alarm to consumers searching for a reliable security provider.

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